Mechanized door

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a washing machine comprising a frame, a washing drum rotatably mounted on the frame and having a circumferentially extending opening, a door mounted on the drum for movement relative to a first position closing the opening and a second open position clear of the opening, and mechanical means movably mounted on the frame for displacing the door between its open and closed positions.

ilniied States Patent Lumen et all.

[ Feb.8, 1972 [54] MECHANIIZED DOOR [72] Inventors: William C. Lutzen; Edward J. Berry, both of Wauwatosa, Wis.

[73] Assignee: Ludell Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, Wis.

[22] Filed: Mar. 30, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 23,793

[51] Int. Cl. ..D06f 37/28 [58] Field of Search ..68/2l0, I39, I44, 145

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,960,778 1 H1960 Cowlin ..68/1 39 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 39 I ,644 9/1965 Switzerland ..68/2l0 Primary Examiner-William I. Price AttorneyCIemency, Michael, Puemer, Gemignani & Riteris [57] ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is a washing machine comprising a frame, a washing drum rotatably mounted on the frame and having a circumferentially extending opening, a door mounted on the drum for movement relative to a first position closing the opening and a second open position clear of the opening, and mechanical means movably mounted on the frame for displacing the door between its open and closed positions.

10 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures :n "L in PATENTEU FEB 8 I972 SHEEI 1 OF 3 NJWMN Fol/v42 av MILL, AM

vi. w

MECHANIZED noon BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to washing machines of the rotary drum-type such as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,553,982, issued Jan. ,I 2, I97 I and to remotely operable mechanical means for opening and closing the doors of such washing machines to afford laundry deposit and withdrawal without manual door actuation by a laundry worker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides means remotely operable for mechanically opening and/or closing the doors of a washing machine which comprises a drum or shell rotatably mounted on a base or frame such as shown and disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,553,982, issued Jan. 12, I971. The mechanical means for moving the door relative to the washing drum to either open or close the door, or to perform both operations, includes track means located on the frame and extending arcuately about the axis of drum rotation, together with means movable on the track means for engagement with the door to displace the door relative to the drum.

In accordance with the invention, the means movable on the track means includes a movable carriage and means for moving the carriage on the track means, together with a hook or member carried by the carriage and an actuating mechanism also carried by the carriage and connected to the hook for displacing the hook between an extended position adapted to engage and displace the door relative to the drum in response to carriage movement, and a retracted position clear of the possible engagement with the drum. In accordance with the invention, one hook and actuating mechanism are provided for moving the door to its open position, while another hook and actuating mechanism are provided for moving the door to its closed position.

The invention also provides for cooperation between the hook and a locking means carried, in part, on the door, as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,553,982, issued .lan. l2, I971, to effect both locking and release of the locking means when the door is in its open and closed positions and to effect displacement of the door relative to the drum. Means are also provided for preventing overtravel of the carriage past positions effecting locking of the door in its opened and closed positions and additional means to prevent overtravel of the carriage on the track.

The invention further provides for preventing hook movement which could lock the hook in its extended position and against travel of the hook toward its retracted position in opposition to the urging of an air cylinder in the event of the application of excessive force from the door to the lock.

A principal object of the invention is a mechanically operated means for opening and closing the door of a rotary drum-type washer. Another principal object of the invention is the provision of such a means which is relatively economical to construct, which is reliable in operation, and which will provide a long and useful lifetime of service. Still other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings in which:

DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary elevational view of a washing machine embodying various of the features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the washing machine shown in FIG. I with a door shown in the closed position.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the washing machine with the door in the open position.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view in section of a portion of the machine shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. Sis a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view, partially broken away and in section, of another portion of the machine shown in FIG. I.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken at right angles to the view shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary developed view of still another portion of the machine shown in FIG. I.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Shown in the drawings is a washing machine II including a frame or base I3 rotatably supporting a washing drum or shell 17 which can be generally as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,553,982, issued Jan. 12, I971. The washing machine also includes conventional means 19 (not described in detail) for selectively rotating the drum in opposite directions and for braking the drum to prevent rotation thereof.

The drum 17 includes one or more partially circumferentially extending openings 21 (See Fig. 2) affording deposit and withdrawal of clothes to be washed and guide or track means 23, as disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,553,982 issued .lan. I2, I97 I extending circumferentially adjacent to the openings 21 and beyond the arcuately spaced ends of the openings 21. Carried on the guide means 23 for movement relative to the drum l7 and to the openings 21 are respective doors 27 which are movable relative to the openings 21 between first positions closing the openings 21 and second or open positions clear of the openings 21 to afford deposit and withdrawal of laundry. Bumpers 29 are provided on the drum 17 to limit door travel and to assist in locating the doors in their open and closed positions.

In accordance with the invention, means are provided on the base or frame 13 for mechanically opening and closing the doors, which means is preferably remotely operated. Such means includes track means 31 on the frame 13 extending partially circumferentially of the drum 17 and means selectively movable on the track means 31 for engaging the doors 27 and for displacing the doors 27 relative to the drum 17 between open and closed door positions. The means movable on track means includes a carriage 33, means for selectively displacing the carriage relative to the frame 13 and to the drum I7 and, for each door (See Figs. 6 and 7), a pair of hooks or members 37, and for each hook, 37, an actuating mechanism 39 operable to displace the associated hook 37 between an extended position adapted to engage one of the doors 27 to effect door movement relative to the drum 17 in response to carriage movement when the drum I7 is stationary, and a retracted position clear of possible engagement with the associated door 27. One of the hooks 37 is operable to displace the associated door 27 in one direction in response to carriage movement in one direction and the other hook 37 is operable to displace the associated door 27 in the other direction in response to carriage movement in the other direction.

More particularly, while other arrangements can be employed, in the disclosed construction, the track means 31 comprises, at each end of the drum, a raised track 41 which ex tends along the top of the frame 13 circumferentially about the axis of drum rotation for a distance of about l50.

While other arrangements can be employed, in the disclosed construction, the carriage 33 comprises an inverted channel-shaped member 43 (See Fig. 4) which extends parallel to the axis of drum rotation and which rotatably supports, at each end, a pair of wheels 47 having flanges 49 guided by the inside edges of the spaced tracks 4].

While other arrangement can be employed, in the disclosed construction, the means for selectively displacing the carriage 33 relative to the frame 13 comprises, at each end of the drum, a rotatably mounted drive sprocket 51 which is located between the wheels 47. At each of the ends of the carriage 33, there is a trained around the undersurface of the drive sprocket 51 and around the upper surface of a pair of hubs 53 or idler sprockets concentric with the wheels 47, a tautly extending sprocket chain 57 which is connected at its ends to the frame adjacent to the ends of the associated track 41. The drive sprockets 51 are connected by a cross shaft 59 which is journaled by the carriage 33 and which carries, exteriorly of one end of the carriage 33, another sprocket 61 driven by a chain 63 connected to a sprocket 67 (See Fig. 1) on a gear reduction box 69 driven by a reversible electric motor 71. The

carriage 33 can be held by the sprocket chain arrangement at any selected point on the circumferential track means 31 and is selectively movable in opposite directions relative to the frame 13 and the drum 17 by energizing of the motor 71 by a remote control (not shown).

Mounted on the carriage 33 for selected displacement to and from a position affording engagement with the associated door are the before-mentioned movable hooks 37. The hooks 37 and their actuating mechanisms 39 are generally of identical construction, except for being allochirically mounted and arranged. Accordingly, only one hook 37 and its actuating mechanism 39 will be described.

More particularly, as shown best in FIGS. 6 and 7, each hook 37 includes a leg 77 and, at the outer end thereof, a foot 79 which is adapted to engage the associated door 27. Still further, each hook 37 and its actuating mechanism 39 are carried by a subframe 81 which is generally of inverted U-shape including two spaced flanges 83 and a connecting web 87 which is suitably adjustably attached to the carriage member 43 by nuts and bolts 89. Adjacent one end of the subframe 81 is a depending cross flange 91 (See Fig. 7) which carries a yoke 93 (See FIG. 6) supporting a cross pivot 97 on which the leg 77 of the hook 37 is pivotally carried, whereby the hook 37 is pivotally mounted on the carriage 33 for movement between an extended, door engaging position and a retracted position.

While other arrangements can be employed, in the disclosed construction, the actuating mechanism 39 for displacing the hook 37 between its door engaging position and retracted position includes a linkage connected to a doubleacting pneumatic cylinder 99 and to the associated hook 37. More particularly, the subframe 81 includes a pair of legs 111 which extend from the side flanges 83 and carry a cross pivot 113. Fixed centrally to a bushing 117 carried on the cross pivot 113 is a link 119 which, at its free upper end, is pivotally connected at 121 to the piston rod 120 of the double acting air cylinder 99 which, at its other end, is pivotally mounted between a pair of spacers on a cross pin 123 extending between the side flanges 83. Suitable air lines or conduits 127 extend from the cylinder to a suitable control to afford extension and contraction ofthe piston rod as desired.

Also fixed to the bushing 117 are a pair of laterally spaced links 129 which, at their outer ends, support a cross pivot 131 (See Fig. 7) from which depends a pair of links 133 pivotally connected to opposite sides of the hook leg 77 at a point spaced from the pivotal connection 97 of the leg 77 to the subframe 81. Accordingly, when the piston 120 is retracted, the hook is in the retracted full line position shown in FIG. 7. However, when the piston rod 120 is extended, the associated hook and linkage are displaced to the dotted line extended position shown in FIG. 7. It is pointed out that when the hook 37 is in its extended position, the links 133 have not moved overcenter with respect to a line between the pivots 113 and 131. Accordingly, the hook shown to the right in FIG. 7, is capable of swinging in the counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 7 toward its retracted position in response to the application of excessive force from the door 27 to the hook 37, notwithstanding actuation ofthe cylinder 99 to cause location of the hook 37 in the extended position.

Adjustable means are provided to prevent operation of the linkage which could cause overcenter movement of the link 133 relative to the links 129 and prevent movement of the hook toward its retracted position in the event of excessive force applied from the door. While other arrangements can be employed, in the disclosed construction, such means is in the form (See Fig. 7) of a stop 137 which is threaded into the cross flange 91 and adjustably locked by a nut 139 in position for engagement with the link 119 to limit the throw of the piston rod 120 when the air cylinder 99 is operated to cause a piston rod extension.

As disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,553,982, the drum 17 and each of the doors 27 is provided with releasable door locking means for selectively locking the door 27 in its open and closed positions. While other arrangements can be employed, such means includes respective dowels or pins 141 (See FIG. 8) which extend from support blocks 143 on the door 27 for removable locking insertion in apertures 147 in the door guide means so as to selectively and releasably retain the door in closing position relative to the associated opening 21 and in position clear of the associated opening 21.

In order to facilitate withdrawal of the pins 141 from the apertures 147, as explained in [1.5. Pat. No. 3,553,982, the pins 141 are connected by a cable 149 which is also engageable with the associated pair of hooks 37 to facilitate displacementor movement of the door 27 between its open and closed positions. While other arrangements could be employed to cooperate with the hooks 37 to establish engagement with the associated door 27, in accordance with the invention, the cable 149 is provided, centrally of its ends, with a. roller 151 which serves to lift the cable 149 off the face of the door 27 and which is readily engageable by the foot 79 of the associated hooks 37 so as to retract the dowel pins 141 and to cause movement of the door 27 incident to movement of the carriage 33 along the track 41 when the appropriate hook is in its extended position.

Means are provided to prevent overtravel of the carriage 33 beyond positions locating the door 27 in its open position or in its closed position. While other arrangements can be employed, as for instance, microswitches, in the disclosed construction, such means is in the form of first and second mag netic blocks 153 and 157 which are mounted on the drum 13 (i.e., on the door guide means 23) between adjacent doors 27 and which travel relative to first and second proximity switches 163 and 167 mounted on the carriage 33 by brackets 165. Thus, for instance, when the carriage 33 displaces the door 27 toward its open position, the door 27 wiil first engage the associated bumper 29 which is located to stop the door 27 so that the dowel pins 141 will be received in the apertures 147 in the adjacent door guide means 23. Approximately simultaneously with engaging the bumper 29, the first magnetic block 153 is approached by the first proximity switch 163 and causes operation of the switch 163 to deenergize the motor 71 and to thereby stop displacement of the door 27 by the carriage 33 and to thereby permit insertion of the pivot pins 141 into the appropriate apertures 147 in the door guide means 23.

The second magnetic block 157 and proximity switch 167 operate in a similar fashion upon carriage movement which will locate the door 27 in its closed position.

In the event that the motor 71 is not stopped for one reason or another by the first or second proximity switches 163 and 167, the linkages will permit movement of the hooks 37.in opposition to the air cylinders 99 to permit overtravel of the carriage 33 past the door 27. Still further, additional microswitches 181 (see FIGS. 1 and 8) located adjacent to the ends of the track 41 and cooperating with a cam or actuator 183 on the carriage 33 are provided to effect stopping of the carriage 33 in the event of overtravel past the door opening or door closing locations and before approaching the ends of the track 41.

The details of the remote mechanism for sequentially controlling operation of the drum rotating and braking means 19, the carriage motor 71, and the air cylinders 99 have not been disclosed in detail as such means are believed to be well known in the art.

In operation and after completion of a washing cycle, the drum 13 is braked with the doors 27 facing upwardly under the carriage 33 as shown in FIG. 2. An appropriate remote control is then actuated to cause the piston rod of the actuating cylinder 99 to be extended, whereby to displace one of the forks 37 into an extended position for engagement with the roller 151 carried on the associated door 27. Incident to further operation of the remote control mechanism (not shown), the reversible electric motor 71 is then actuated to cause movement of the carriage 33 in the direction along the frame 13 to cause engagement of the hook 37 with the associated roller 151 and, consequent to continued movement of the carriage 33 along the frame 13, to cause withdrawal of the dowel pins 141 and displacement of the door 27 from its position closing the opening 21 to a second position clear of the opening 21. As the carriage 33 moves relative to the drum 13 to locate the door 27 in said second position, the magnetic block 153 cooperates with the proximity switch 163 to discontinue carriage movement and the air cylinder 99 is actuated to withdraw the extended hook 37 to its retracted position. Upon retraction of the hook 37, the locking mechanism operates to insert the dowel pins 141 in the associated apertures 147 in the door guide means 23 so as to lock the door open. The drum 13 is then rotated so as to locate the openings 21 for discharge of the washed laundry. After such discharge, the drum 13 is then rotated so that the openings 21 face upwardly and so as to facilitate filling of the drum with laundry to be washed from a chute 179 or by other means. Thereafter with the door 27 still held in the open position, the air cylinder 99 associated with the other hook 37 is actuated to cause movement of the other hook 37 to its extended position. Thereupon, the reversible motor 71 operates to cause movement of the carriage 33 to engage the other hook 37 with the associated roller 151, to thereby disengage the pins 141 from the door guide means 23 and to afford movement of the door 27 to its closed position whereupon the second magnetic block 157 and proximity switch 167 cooperate to stop carriage travel. Upon such cessation, the associated air cylinder 99 is actuated to displace the other hook 37 toward the retracted position, allowing the pins 141 to be again inserted into the door guide means 23 to lock the door 27 closed. The drum 13 can then again be operated through a washing cycle.

Thus, there is disclosed an effective mechanical arrangement for remotely opening and closing the doors of a washing machine.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A washing machine comprising a frame, a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having a circumferentially extending opening, a door carried on said drum and movable relative to a position closing said opening, and mechanical means mounted on said frame for moving said door relative to said position when said drum is stationary and including a movable member operatively engageable with said door and movable circumferentially relative to said drum.

2. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mechanical means includes track means on said frame extending partially circumferentially relative to said drum and means movable on said track means and engageable with said door to displace said door relative to said position in response to movement on said track means.

3. A washing machine in accordance with claim 2 including means for preventing overtravel of said movable means relative to said frame.

4. A washing machine comprising a frame, a rotatable drum having a circumferentially extending opening and guide means adjacent said opening, a door carried on said guide means and movable relative to said opening between a first position closing said opening and a second position clear of said opening, means on said frame for rotatably supporting said drum, track means on said frame extending partially circumferentially about said drum, and means movable on said track means and engageable with said door to displace said door relative to said drum between said first and second door positions.

5. A machine in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means movable on said track means includes a carriage, means for selectively displacing said carriage relative to said frame, a hook carried by said carriage, and a actuating mechanism mounted on said carriage and connected to said hook for operably displacing said hook relative to an extended position adapted for engaging said door to effect door movement relative to said drum in response to carria c movement,

6. A washing machine in accordance with c arm 5 wherein said door and said drum include cooperating means for selectively and releasably locking said door in open and closed positions relative to said opening and wherein said cooperating means on said door includes means engageable by said hook to effect releasing of said locking means.

7. A washing machine in accordance with claim 6 including cooperating means on said carriage and on said drum for discontinuing movement of said carriage when said door is located in one of said open and closed positions so as to permit engagement of said locking means upon disengagement of said hook from said means on said door engageable by said hook.

8. A machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein said actuating mechanism includes a pivot mounting said hook on said carriage for pivotal movement, a linkage pivotally mounted on said carriage and pivotally connected to said hook, and a pneumatic cylinder pivotally mounted on said carriage, pivotally connected to said linkage, and operable to displace said linkage so as to thereby displace said hook relative to said extended position.

9. A washing machine in accordance with claim 8 including a first pivot connecting said hook to said carriage and wherein said linkage includes a first link, a second link, a second pivot connecting said first link to said carriage, a third pivot connecting said first and second links, and a fourth pivot connect ing said second link to said hook at a point spaced from said first pivot, and means on said carriage for preventing travel of said second link overcenter with respect to a line between said second and third pivots.

10. A washing machine comprising a frame, a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having a circumferentially extending opening and guide means extending adjacent said opening and circumferentially beyond the arcuate ends of said opening, a door carried on said guide means and movable relative to said opening between a first closed position closing said opening and a second open position clear of said opening, cooperating means on said door and said drum for selectively and releasably locking said door in said open and closed positions, track means on said frame extending partially circumferentially relative to said drum and arcuately about the axis of said drum, a carriage movable on said track means, means for selectively displacing said carriage on said track means relative to said frame, a hook, a first pivot connecting said hook to said carriage for movement relative to an extended position wherein said hook is engageable with said cooperating means on said door to effect release of said locking means and to effect displacement of said door in response to carriage movement, a first link pivotally connected to said hook at a point spaced from said first pivot, a second link, a second pivot connecting said second link to said carriage, a third pivot connecting said first and second links, an air cylinder means pivotally carried on said carriage and pivotally connected to said second link for operably displacing said hook relative to said extended position, means on said carriage for preventing travel of said second link overcenter with respect to a line between said second and third pivots, and cooperating means on said carriage and on said drum for discontinuing movement of said carriage when said door is located in one of said open and closed positions and to permit engagement of said locking means upon disengagement of said hook from said cooperating means on said door. 

1. A washing machine comprising a frame, a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having a circumferentially extending opening, a door carried on said drum and movable relative to a position closing said opening, and mechanical means mounted on said frame for moving said door relative to said position when said drum is stationary and including a movable member operatively engageable with said door and movable circumferentially relative to said drum.
 2. A machine in accordance with claim 1 wherein said mechanical meAns includes track means on said frame extending partially circumferentially relative to said drum and means movable on said track means and engageable with said door to displace said door relative to said position in response to movement on said track means.
 3. A washing machine in accordance with claim 2 including means for preventing overtravel of said movable means relative to said frame.
 4. A washing machine comprising a frame, a rotatable drum having a circumferentially extending opening and guide means adjacent said opening, a door carried on said guide means and movable relative to said opening between a first position closing said opening and a second position clear of said opening, means on said frame for rotatably supporting said drum, track means on said frame extending partially circumferentially about said drum, and means movable on said track means and engageable with said door to displace said door relative to said drum between said first and second door positions.
 5. A machine in accordance with claim 4 wherein said means movable on said track means includes a carriage, means for selectively displacing said carriage relative to said frame, a hook carried by said carriage, and an actuating mechanism mounted on said carriage and connected to said hook for operably displacing said hook relative to an extended position adapted for engaging said door to effect door movement relative to said drum in response to carriage movement.
 6. A washing machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein said door and said drum include cooperating means for selectively and releasably locking said door in open and closed positions relative to said opening and wherein said cooperating means on said door includes means engageable by said hook to effect releasing of said locking means.
 7. A washing machine in accordance with claim 6 including cooperating means on said carriage and on said drum for discontinuing movement of said carriage when said door is located in one of said open and closed positions so as to permit engagement of said locking means upon disengagement of said hook from said means on said door engageable by said hook.
 8. A machine in accordance with claim 5 wherein said actuating mechanism includes a pivot mounting said hook on said carriage for pivotal movement, a linkage pivotally mounted on said carriage and pivotally connected to said hook, and a pneumatic cylinder pivotally mounted on said carriage, pivotally connected to said linkage, and operable to displace said linkage so as to thereby displace said hook relative to said extended position.
 9. A washing machine in accordance with claim 8 including a first pivot connecting said hook to said carriage and wherein said linkage includes a first link, a second link, a second pivot connecting said first link to said carriage, a third pivot connecting said first and second links, and a fourth pivot connecting said second link to said hook at a point spaced from said first pivot, and means on said carriage for preventing travel of said second link overcenter with respect to a line between said second and third pivots.
 10. A washing machine comprising a frame, a drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having a circumferentially extending opening and guide means extending adjacent said opening and circumferentially beyond the arcuate ends of said opening, a door carried on said guide means and movable relative to said opening between a first closed position closing said opening and a second open position clear of said opening, cooperating means on said door and said drum for selectively and releasably locking said door in said open and closed positions, track means on said frame extending partially circumferentially relative to said drum and arcuately about the axis of said drum, a carriage movable on said track means, means for selectively displacing said carriage on said track means relative to said frame, a hook, a first pivot connecting said hook to said carriage for movement relative to an extended poSition wherein said hook is engageable with said cooperating means on said door to effect release of said locking means and to effect displacement of said door in response to carriage movement, a first link pivotally connected to said hook at a point spaced from said first pivot, a second link, a second pivot connecting said second link to said carriage, a third pivot connecting said first and second links, an air cylinder means pivotally carried on said carriage and pivotally connected to said second link for operably displacing said hook relative to said extended position, means on said carriage for preventing travel of said second link overcenter with respect to a line between said second and third pivots, and cooperating means on said carriage and on said drum for discontinuing movement of said carriage when said door is located in one of said open and closed positions and to permit engagement of said locking means upon disengagement of said hook from said cooperating means on said door. 